Wednesday, December 29, 2010

last few days of 2010

The past two days have been busy. I have been trying to focus on the kids since they don't have school this week. Yesterday, we did some shopping as a family. It was so fun. Layla has been asking me for a small Christmas tree for her room. She asked me last year, and this year. I told her maybe next year. We waited until after Christmas and got two small trees yesterday from Garden Ridge. They were half off and I even got a few ornaments to go on them. I had a tree in my room when I was little and I loved it. I also want to fancy up my tree next year, so this way the kids can have their ornaments and I can spruce up my tree. Both kids have window seats in their rooms, and I was thinking the trees will look great there.

We took them out of the boxes to make sure they worked. And they did....all the twinkly lights twinkle :) We let the kids keep them up in their rooms for one night. I was worried Hayden would get out of bed and play with his, but he didn't. Layla left the lights turned on hers for a bit, and then she was ready to turn it off.

Today Layla had a friend come play for the afternoon. They had grilled cheese sandwiches and played their hearts out. Layla and Emma Kate were best friends in preschool. They were inseparable....sadly they go to different schools now. I hate that for them, but since we live in different neighborhoods, they will always go to separate schools. Anyway, Layla has been wanting to play with her and they had a super fun time.

After Emma Kate left we decided to go outside and enjoy the 70 degree weather. Seriously, Texas weather is so random. Since it will be in the mid 40's again in a few days we decided to go ahead and take down our outdoor Christmas lights. We had some very cute helpers, eager to help.

As dad would pull the lights down, the hanger things would fall off the shingles. It was raining light holders and the kids loved it. They would run and grab them and stick them in the tote! I love having helpers around the house. I have talked Layla into helping with the laundry too. She is my little sorter. We are a team in this family, and I want them to know they have to do their part to make this house run successfully. They helped us take down the Christmas tree too. They weren't very helpful with this task, but since we did the outside we decided to go ahead and tackle the inside decor too. I was sad to see the tree go back in the attic, but we wanted to take it down this year before New Years Eve.

I can't get over the great weather we had today. Layla and Hayden ran all around the backyard and worked up a thirst. They asked for Popsicles, and I happened to have a few made up in the freezer.

Daddy and Layla found a ladybug. How crazy is that?

And the kids got their tool set out and worked on their cars. They were banging and hammering like no body's business. They are a hoot!

They said cheers and slammed Popsicles together...I can't believe I caught it on camera!

I have enjoyed these few days, but I am so tired tonight. Taking down the decor wore me out! Tomorrow I am planning our New Years Eve menu. I love cooking up something fun for NYE. I know for sure New Years Day we are having ham and black eyed peas. We always waste black eyed peas, none of us care for them, so this year I think I will make Texas Caviar. I am in search of a fun salsa {ish} recipe we can dip with chips, or Gary can wrap up a spoonful in a tortilla.

5 comments:

I love having little helpers too. My 4.5 year old will generally gladly help switch laundry and fold (especially dish towels) there are days she'll discover the laundry is done (usually during room time when she isn't supposed to be in the laundry room) and ask to switch and fold laundry. Ha! Even my 19 month old likes to help and push the buttons. I'm hoping if I keep having them help they'll still help when they get to the age it isn't fun anymore!

I'm not cooking anything for New Years. My parents tradition was always steak and since we'll likely still be at their house that sounds good. If we head back home that day it will be something fast and easy.

We always have ham and black eyed peas. I get my 3 for good luck down and that is it! You should try roasted corn guacamole-OH YUMMY!...you could probably throw in a few black eyed peas for good measure if you wanted.

Great pics of the kiddos! We enjoyed 70 degree weather here in Oklahoma today. We have Christmas round 2 this weekend with my inlaws, so all of my Christmas decor is still up.

We always have ham and black eyed peas on New Years Day. I LOVE black eyed peas!!! I don't know why I don't make them through the year. I like to eat mine over some white rice. On NYE, we usually just have appetizers and snack food. This year, we're having some shrimp cocktails, artichoke spinach dip, and some salsa and chips...along with several desserts, of course! :)

The weather in Baton Rouge has been crazy too. Always so random. We have lady bugs ALL OVER THE PLACE. It's driving me crazy. I don't think I ever saw a real ladybut until we moved into this house 5 yrs. ago. Now we have a ladybug season.